DENVER, NC (July 26, 2022) — After two back-to-back NHRA national events on the west coast Pro Stock rookie Camrie Caruso understands the tough demands a driver must endure to compete at the highest level of drag racing. The 24-year-old who resides in Denver, North Carolina, has battled the mountains of Colorado and the challenging racing surface of Sonoma as she heads to the final stop of the historic Western Swing, the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceway, outside of Seattle. Racing the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro with enhanced support from NGK backed Shop Squad, Caruso will be looking for a strong finish on the swing to match her hot start to the season.
“We have been working really hard with this Tequila Comisario Chevrolet team and we have just had some tough draws on race day,” said Caruso, who raced to the No. 1 qualifier spot at Houston. “We are a team that has been consistently qualifying in the top half and that makes a difference on Sunday. I know we have the power thanks to Titan Racing Engines and my crew led by crew chief Jim Yates is really good. I am excited to get to a new track and have some new results on the swing.”
Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Auto Imagery
Throughout the season Caruso has been steadily improving in all facets of her driving. Before the season started the team worked extensively on a consistent burnout and staging routine. As they moved into the season Caruso has made a concentrated effort to improve on her reaction times. Last weekend in the first round she unloaded a .023 reaction time in the first round which combined with her quickest run of the weekend was the kind of combination that will win the Tequila Comisario team rounds the rest of the season. Overall Caruso has taken the approach of highlighting the positives and moving on to the next challenge.
“We did everything right in the first round at Sonoma we just had a tough opponent in Dallas Glenn,” said Caruso, runner-up at the SpringNationals in Houston. “If we would have been in the top half of the field, I think we could have gone some rounds. This class is very tough, but I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and my team. I have never raced at Pacific Raceway so I am looking forward to a new track and seeing what we can do.”
In her rookie season as not just a driver but also a team owner Caruso has balanced the on-track and off-track responsibilities like a seasoned veteran. She has brought on new marketing partners throughout the season and most recently announced a five-race program with Tequila Comisario and NGK’s Shop Squad that started at the Mile-High Nationals and will continue through the U.S. Nationals. Both companies are prominent on her race car and being hosted in the Caruso Family Racing pit area. They join an impressive list of supporters that includes GESI, Powerbuilt Tools, VP Racing Lubricants, and Sand Haulers of America
Additionally, throughout Shop Squad’s five-race run as major associate marketing partner automotive professionals can visit: www.shopsquadonline.com to register for this unique program. Using code RACE22 pros can sign up for a chance to win a Solo Stove with NGK conducting one drawing per month. Through ten races Caruso has started from the top half of the field seven times. The combination of a quick race car as well as a steadily improving driver has made the Caruso Family Racing operation a tough team to beat in 2022.
“Camrie has been improving with every race and that is very impressive,” said Yates, Tequila Comisario crew chief and two-time Pro Stock world champion. “She has absorbed a ton of information and every race there is new information and experiences to work into our program. We are ten races into the season and right in the middle of a tough battle for the championship. I could not be more proud of her accomplishments so far and I know we have more great things ahead of us.”
With only three races left before the Countdown begins Caruso is focused on making the most of every Friday and Saturday qualifying sessions and elimination rounds on Sunday. She currently sits in eighth place only two points out of seventh and most importantly less than three rounds from sixth place. When the playoffs begin and the points are reset Caruso will be in a prime position to race for her first Pro Stock world championship.
Caruso and the rest of the Pro Stock class will have one qualifying run on Friday followed by two more sessions on Saturday to start the Northwest Nationals. The final eliminations will begin at 10:30 a.m. local time with the race broadcast on FOX starting at 4 p.m. ET.